The Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA–SAAD) Program Phase 2 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) gathered regional and provincial implementers for its FY 2025 Year-End Assessment in Baguio City on February 18–20, 2026, marking a key milestone in reviewing accomplishments and shaping the program’s next steps.
New SAAD Operations Officer, Ms. Rosemarie Tesoro, calls on everyone to work in unity and make the most of the remaining three years of SAAD Phase 2 to deliver meaningful support to the farmers and communities.
“Agtitinnulong tayo. We can accomplish great things in the three remaining years of SAAD Phase 2. Let us value and give our best in our work, because who knows, there may even be a SAAD Phase 3. If we stay united and focused, we can make these remaining years truly count for our farmers and communities,” she said.
The sessions proceeded then with the Regional Program Management Support Office (RPMSO) presenting major accomplishments, ongoing initiatives, and priority targets for the year. These set the tone for a collaborative review and planning session anchored on improving service delivery to SAAD-covered communities.
Provincial Program Management Support Offices (PPMSOs) followed with updates on project implementation, highlighting progress on livelihood and food production interventions, challenges encountered on the ground, and good practices emerging from SAAD-supported farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs). The exchanges provided a venue for peer learning and practical problem-solving among implementers.
This was followed by the presentation and critiquing of proposed FY 2027 plans and budget, ensuring that future interventions remain responsive to the needs of partner farmers and aligned with program goals.
The assessment concluded with the presentation and review of the FY 2026 Work and Financial Plan, which served as the basis for commitments reflected in the Performance Rating Sheets submitted during the activity.
Overall, the FY 2025 Year-End Assessment reaffirmed DA–SAAD CAR’s commitment to accountability, coordination, and strategic planning, laying a stronger foundation for sustained support to partner farmers in the Cordillera.
Providing guidance and insights during the assessment were key DA officials and partners, including former SAAD CAR Operations Officer Marlyn C. Tejero, current Operations Officer Dr. Rosemarie B. Tesoro, Assistant Operations Officer Ronan M. Soriano, DA–RFO CAR AFD Chief Dr. Aida Y. Pagtan, PMED Assistant Division Chief Charles A. Picpican, Ifugao APCO Nestor L. Humiwat, Benguet APCO Cirilo L. Batan, RAFIS Chief Janice B. Agrifino, and MAED Sub-unit Focal Person Adrian L. Castañeda.###
